Interlude 4.
Studio Canal TVN, weekly talk show "Saturday evening with Warren Alia".
- Good evening, dear friends! Our today's broadcast devoted to the massive competition of virtual worlds, started by three giants of the entertainment industry, corporations "VirtArt", "Aspai" and "syndicate".
- With you I - Alia Warren, and our guest today, a person who will monitor compliance with the conditions of the competition participants - Chris Reddick, welcome !!
- I remind you briefly, if someone else does not know what is happening! This morning, three competing development company, we can say the three pillars on which rests the whole of modern entertainment industry, started an unprecedented scale for a marathon!
- In the ten participants, ten realms of every corporation, for a year will compete for the right to enter the top three finalists to participate in the development of a fundamentally new world, and get a great prize!
- So, let's learn from our guest, and what kind of demands which must comply with contest participants! Chris?
- Yes, Alia, thanks. They are pretty simple - all participants must start on an equal footing. None of them should not receive any advantage over the other, as well as any outside help. Also can not promote, including hidden some of the participants, it is equally as denigration of opponents.
- I knew Chris. And tell me, do you have any personal preferences? You've probably already seen all the worlds?
- Yes, Alia, of course, I've seen them. But to say anything I can not, it will be a violation of the right of those conditions, the observance of which I must attend.
- All right, Chris. Then answer to another question. The first day of competition has almost come to an end, the participants are more or less accustomed. Tell me, at this stage already have any leaders, there is a people person?
- While allocate someone too early, in fact, the audience has yet to become acquainted with the contestants, and any preferences they have. Statistics about the same for all 30 participants. I think the first change in the schedule will be next week and speak confidently about the favorites and outsiders we can not earlier than one month.
- Thank you, Chris. Dear friends, I remind you that at the last moment the organizers of the competition changes in the conditions of the meeting. In order to increase the interest of the audience, every three months will be an intermediate comparison rankings, the results of which, will be retiring from the contest 6 players with the lowest scores.
- In the last trimester, thus, will remain 12 members, of which, in addition to the three winners will be awarded three more that are closest to them by rating. They will receive consolation prizes. And as far as I know, each company has separately rewards the top three in their top ten.
- After a break on advertising, we will go with you on a journey through the worlds - the participants of the project and see the most interesting moments in the life of their inhabitants! Stay with us!
Chapter 6.
I stood in front of "a dead pig", can not be doubted. On the darkened wooden sign it was clearly shown some dead, but perhaps just a sleeping animal. The species it belongs to determine it was difficult, drawing nearly erased. But oblique, like to dance letters argued that it's still a pig, and it was dead.
While I squinted in the gathering dusk looking at the sign, the door of the tavern opened, and fell out of it two completely drunken man, as said before - in smoke ... or a lord, or in the wood ... I do not know why, but said it was so .
Staggering, supporting each other, they clearly have not been able to observe an elephant under his nose. And exactly at that moment I felt - it's time! He waited until the drunks will step off the porch, I, without hesitation, bent over, and try to be as small as possible and unobtrusively slid in the closing door.
I was saved by the fact that the main light in the tavern has been concentrated near the bar, and near the exit twilight reigned. Well, the people sat, mostly buried in their clubs, not really paying attention to what is happening around.
A second later, I was sitting under the big oak table, feeling like Frodo in the "Prancing Pony", only without the One Ring.
Calmed down a little, and making sure that I was sure no one noticed, prepared to listen.
I must say, there was something to hear. Molly did not disappoint, folk in "pork" was really going to muddy and armed. No hiding, not even lowering his voice, then discussed the past and future robberies and thefts, prices have baryg, the quality of the prostitutes and other uncomplicated pleasures of life terry criminals.
To my regret, in the general hubbub, I still have not managed to identify the voice of the Trickster. It's been half an hour, and it was absolutely desperate, I prepared to leave the inhospitable place, when suddenly, a group of men sitting at the next table began to discuss some very interesting things:
- Something cripple with Ray today do not see ... Pretty Marissa their Searched says as sunk into the water - began a low, gravelly bass. I instantly alert.
- Yes, what trouble walking I suppose somewhere - joined a young, ringing tenor - have there been such a good jump today, Maltz some stripped the rich ... Propyutsya, otospitsya - crawl.
- No, they do without Beauties do not walk, from childhood grew up together, do not spill water. She's ranting and raving says that head them posshibat as meet - men together croaking.
- Let the pawnshop goes to Norrie - chimed in a third voice. - I saw the Trickster in the afternoon, he had just come out from it. Hours there left gold with a jump, boasted that Norrie for them 10 zheltyakov rolled back, they say - the work is very fine, very rare. And the stone some strange wanted to sell him.
- Norrie stone itself is not taken, they say, it is not the goods, but gave the address where to go. Here Trickster Ray and went. So there Norrie and not ask where he sent them.
- To hell with him, with the Trickster, even if he's completely disappeared - again he sounded hoarse bass. - Ten zheltyakov for hours? That's fortunate then, damn them to hell!
- to offer you the quest: "Nora Norrie."
- Usloviya quest - to find a pawnshop Norrie, and learn more the further fate of his uncle's watch.
Onhail - experience (200), the continuation of the quest chain.
About the penaltyshaft - automatic failure of the quest: "The Golden Key" and "Mystic expedition."
atnyat quest?
Absolutely! Only do this I will later, but now run until it's too late to get into the shelter.
Jumping out from under the table, I instantly, slamming the door, left the street. It was almost dark. After jumping from the porch, I asked Strekachev without turning and without missing a second. Tavern door slammed again, behind him he heard some vague menacing cries, but I was, fortunately, no one chased.
Causing a run on the card, I found myself moving in the right direction. There are only nothing, one and three quarters of a turn along the new street.
Strength soon left me, and the last few meters before the end I was dragged, barely moving staggering legs, panting and wheezing. Increased by one more unit of endurance not pleased. Just do not have the strength.
Building a shelter, in front of which I finally stopped, frightened by its monumentality and gloom. I instantly recognized the architectural style, called "neo-gothic", but be honest, the dark, in the gathering dusk almost black building, with numerous needle-like turrets and spiers, bore little resemblance to the place of residence of orphans, so the vampire family soon.
Next to the massive, dark wood door on a chain hanging hammer. Grasping it with both hands, I began struggling to thrash on the door, raising incredible roar. A few minutes the door was quiet, then the floorboards creaked, and a disgruntled male voice shouted:
- And what the hell do you need here?
- I have a note for Miss Emily, from her brother.
- Oh, well I'll call, wait. - The door was never opened, and I was impatient to dance on the porch. The main problem was the timer, which appeared on t
he periphery of the line of sight even in the time of my escape from the tavern. It marked the beginning of the ten minutes, and now the time is inexorably approaching zero.
Finally he heard rapid footsteps, the door opened with a terrible creaking, and on the threshold appeared a young woman looked about about 25.
- Hello - she smiled warmly - is you bring a note from William?
- Good evening, ma'am. I brought a note from Constable Joyce, I am afraid that I do not know his name. - I handed Emily a crumpled piece of paper.
At the time when the note was in her hands, the world is accustomed to already frozen, and I was pleased to read the text of the next system message:
- Congratulations! Quest: "The way to" Home "is made.
- OnCastle: Experience 200 (200/500), access to a private room!
The timer stopped, and a moment later disappeared.
The woman ran the text of his eyes, smiled, then looked at me sternly.
- The young man, and you do not think you get too long? "... by the name of Sherlock Brown, who met this morning in the park ..." - she read out loud. - In the morning, and now nearly eight o'clock.
Emily for a few seconds posverlila my eyes, then, relenting, she added:
- Okay, go through. We discuss your adventures tomorrow, and now you have to clean up, eat and go to bed.
- Thank you, ma'am. - Do not put into words how I was grateful for those words. All events today great exhausted me, and I could hardly stand on his feet.
All the while I was trying to get here, I was in a terrible tension and constantly looked for the strength to move on. Reaching the goal, I suddenly felt that out of me if taken out of steel, rod, which did not allow me to bend. Without it felt like a rag doll.
I obediently followed Emily into the bathroom, where washed in a large copper tub full of barely warm water. Then, not taste, drank a glass of hot milk brought it with some buns. And almost anything without paying attention fell on a narrow bed, standing in a tiny room on the third floor of the building, where, apparently, and I had some time to live.
Without being distracted by a bunch of flashing before the eyes of the windows and system alerts, after a couple of seconds, I slept so soundly as must not sleep ever.
***
She ran along the canal. Long hair rasplelis and as a banner fluttering behind. She ran silently, almost without looking at his feet, breathing hitched to wheeze, but a blind fear drove all and drove it forward.
Dark embankment was deserted and deathly silent, seemed even water has stopped its movement. Only hear the heavy breathing of the treadmill.
Looking back, she suddenly froze, staring at something visible only to her. Beautiful face, previously distorted grimace of terror, suddenly relaxed, his eyes rolled back.
For a moment, she stood quietly in place, then no change of expression, raised her arms, hugged her neck and began to choke. Her face turned blue, his eyes popping out of their sockets, but it is still resolutely continued to squeeze her neck with his hands.
Even falling to the ground, without a moment's death grip weakened.
Suddenly, the fog, which, rising from the river, whitish veil covered the pavement, became as though denser, turning into some sort, milky slime. Wave this white mass covered the body of the girl, grabbed him with translucent tentacles, completely hiding out of sight, turning it into a quivering like jelly cocoon.
When a couple of minutes haze cleared, coward crawled back to the water body is left lying on the wet embankment. White, bloodless face, black fingerprints on the thin neck - another victim of the "Night Strangler".
On the marble cheeks girl slowly, as if speaking from under the skin, appeared strange, nothing on similar signs.
The silence of the city tore up the steps. From a small alley overlooking the promenade, the dark silhouette appeared in a long cloak. The man approached the girl lying, bending, extended his hand and tore off the neck a thin gold chain. He flashed deep blue strange hexagonal crystal hanging on it as a pendant.
Just silence, the man once again disappeared into the alley.
Water again rustling in the darkness and beat against the rocks, icy wind howling, I drove along the waterfront debris and leaves, dead girl sky looked silently, quietly, and seemed a little judgmental.
***
I awoke as from a blow, jerk sat up in bed. What the hell I just had a dream? A dream, but the feeling of reality was huge.
Horror any. Woman strangles herself that kind of nonsense at all? Unable to stifle the very self, it's understandable. At some point, you just lose consciousness, and that it all ends.
Though from a dream into virtual reality, in principle, anything can be expected. Here are just a crystal that dark man took from the corpse, it was too similar to the one that I found in the park, in a pile of leaves. And there was a murder just in this place ...
Thinking that necessarily try to find out the fate of the missing crystal, I finally decided to deal with the fact, what I was trying to please the system yesterday. So, the first window:
- Reference. Personal room used by a player for relaxation and storage, as well as a place where character is reborn in the event of his death. Monitoring the process of the game at the time of stay in the private room is not conducted. Maximum finding players in the private room - 8 hours a day.
Sooooo exciting! In fact, this is my private refuge, a place where me absolutely nothing can happen. I am glad that the game even somewhere you can feel safe, and that was only one day, but I had forgotten what the word means.
The second window asks if I want to set a reference point in this place? Surely by clicking "Yes", I discovered the following window. But it has been interesting:
- Reference. You have access to the characteristics of the character. Acquainted with them you can, mentally pronouncing the word "specifications". Each received level will bring you one free point performance. Think carefully about all the changes cancel them would be impossible.
At last! Open table. In the first part of seven points next to each item a numerical value and a drop down menu with the detailed description.
Strength - 1
(Muscle strength of the character. It influences the damage of melee weapons, as well as the maximum weight of the cargo transported. When a high level of skill, allows you to turn into an effective weapon own fists).
Perception - 2
(The severity of hearing and vision. From this parameter depends on the opportunity to see the implicit details, details. Also affects the chance of avoiding the pitfalls. At a high level of skill, makes a key location more visible).
Endurance - 3
(Parameters that affect the scope of the health of the character, as well as reserve forces. Allows for a long time to perform activities that require considerable physical effort at a high level of skill).
Attractiveness - 1
(Ability to influence the interlocutor as charming and intimidating him. With a high level of attractiveness, can cause a person to do or say something that will be beneficial to you).
Intellect - 5
(Your mind and intelligence. Intelligence affects the ability to read complex texts, manuscripts, drawings and disassemble the code. If a high level of skill, your knowledge may seem real magic. Perhaps it is not just a guess).
Agility - 1
(Speed and accuracy. From this skill depends on the speed of movement of the character, as well as the accuracy and damage done by throwing weapons and ranged weapons. The high skill level gives you tremendous coordination, allowing many to dodge the dangers).
Luck - 1
(Ace in your sleeve. The parameter that influences the frequency and strength of a critical hit, the probability of random, that you require meetings and activities. With the high level of success, there is always the probability of certain events, which will raise your chance of a successful outcome in any, even the most hopeless situation).
Wow! Very interesting. Although I never played
these games, but this system somehow looked familiar, perhaps just something similar read.
That's just not clear to me where it came from 5 intelligence? Endurance and perception grew in my yesterday's adventures, but about intellect never messaging system was not. The head came only one option - it is some kind of starting bonus.
In fact - it is not important. More importantly, where to invest one free yedinichku? Once again, scanned the list, I strongly increased the one of the values. Done!
Luck - 2
I do not know if I did the right thing, but the choice is made. In any case, I really do not know how else to increase your luck? Other parameters can be changed training, well, at least some accurate, but how to train your luck? Unclear...
After the list of characteristics, it was a small list of items entitled as "capacity". While there were only two positions:
1. Mimicry - 2 (The ability to pretend to be another person, an animal or even an inanimate object).
2. Deduction - 1 (The ability to see a causal connection between events, and restore it for one or more units).
Here I could change nothing, apparently, the ability to grow only on the use and training, well, or as a reward for achievement.
So, there are only two unread window. One news:
- Reference. Being in a private room, you can customize the mapping interface. Initially, the game interface are turned off. setting, the transition is mind speaking a command: "Complete interface", "minimal interface" "interface Disable". You can configure the default settings for a peace regime, and battle modes.
experimentation time!
Switch to the full mode of the interface, I was disappointed. Very intensified feeling that you are in the game, so do not fit into the world of these panels and menus.
Probably, it is convenient to have on hand at all times in full view, and the list of quests, and a record of all conversations with NPCs, and constantly hanging in the corner of a translucent card, but the reliability of the whole system of the world prompts immediately reduced.
The minimum time was better - there was only a map and two parallel rather narrow strips on the left, with the words "health" and "Endurance". Tolerant, but also not my choice. The card can be opened and, when necessary, as the strip as I thought would be relevant only in battle.
Named Sherlock Page 8